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DR. PIERCE'S 

SECOND CENTURY 

DISCOURSE. 
1830. 




DISCOURSE 

DELIVERED AT DO RC TI E ST EiJ, 

! : 

ON 17 JUNE, 1830, \ 

(To coinincmovnlc tl)c completion of tijc 

SECOND CENTURY FRO:\r [TS SETTLEMENT 



4 / ^ 



ipaaidj^aaiiii i^iis^ssiQa 



BY JOHN PIERCE, D. D. 

Congregationnl Miniilcr of Brooklinc. 



-r^Q^^- 



BOSTON : 

FROM TIIR OFTICK OF THE DAILY ADVERTrSKR 
W. \,. liOwia, I'rintcr. 



830. 



1 ^ 



Dorchester, J 3 May, 1830. 
To Rev. John Pierce, D. D. 
Dear Sir, — The town of Dorchester, at a meeting on the 10th instant, 
voted to celebrate the first settlement of tlie town by a publick address 
commemorative of that event, and by other appropriate services, and 
selected 17 June next, P. M. as the most suitable day, that being about 
the termination of two centuries, since the commencement of the settle- 
ment. At the same time, the subscribers were appointed a Committee to 
select a speaker, and to make the necessary arrangements. 

The Committee have met, and chosen you to deliver the address ; and 
now, in behalf of the town, and of themselves individually, respectfully 
request, that you will gratify the inhabitants of your native town by an 
acceptance of the appointment. 

Your sincere friends and humble servants, 
SAMUEL P. LOUD, ^ 

DANIEL WITHINGTON, Committee 
WALTER BAKER, } of 

ABEL GUSHING, | Jlrrangemcnts. 

EBENEZER EATON, J 



Dorchester, 17 June, 1830. 

Dear Sir, — The Committee of Arrangements, in behalf of the inhabit- 
ants of Dorchester, tender to you their thanks for the very interesting 
and instructive Discourse, this day, delivered by you, in commemoration of 
the first settlement of the town, and request, that you will favour them with 
a co])y for publication. 

With great respect your obedient servants, 
SAMUEL P. LOUD, "1 

DANIEL WITHINGTON, Committee 
WALTER BAKER, \ of 

ABEL GUSHING, | Jirrangements. 

EBENEZER EATON, J 



Brooklinc, 28 June, 1830. 
Gentlemen, 

The Discourse, delivered by your invitation, is submitted to your re- 
quest, with devout wishes for the best good of the town, whose inhabit- 
ants you represent, by your and their sincere friend, 

Samuel P. Loud, Esq. JOHN PIERCE 

Mr Daniel Withington, 
Col. Walter Baker, 
Abel Gushing, Esq. 
Capt. Ebenezer Eaton. 



Bo4 Pub. Lit. 



SECOND CENTURY DISCOURSE. 



On an occasion fraught with so many interesting 
associations, no topick has appeared to nic more 
appropriate to the season, or the place, or to llie 
assembly, whom 1 am invited to addrcs;;?, tlian that, 
suggested by 

PllOVERlJS xvii. (i. 
'the (;lory (if cuii-DRr.N aue theiii fatiieus.' 

Think not, from the subject proposed, that I am 
about to enter upon an extravagant and unqualified 
eulogy of our venerable ancestors. It would be 
unjust to their memories to treat with such praise 
those, who, with imaflccted humility and contrition, 
were so ready to lament their many imperfections. 

IMucli lesfe shall I be expected to particularize or 
reprobate their foibles or their vices. 

A much more suitable ex|^ression of filial piety 
is it, while we spread the mantle of oblivion or of 
charity over their failings, as men, to propose, as 
worthy of careful imitation, of everlasting remem- 
brance, their pre-eminent virtues, as christians. 

It may be proper here to premise the glory, 
which is claimed for the fathers of our risinii^ Re- 
publick. 

An imperfect ac(|uaintance with their history 
will convince us, that they were not inflated with 
the 'pomp and vain glory of this world.' So far 
Ironi allecling to shine iti courts, they were willing, 



in pursuit of tlieir darling object, to bo treated, as 
the ' oftscouring of all things.' So far from cov- 
eting the fame of military heroes, their highest 
ambition was to become ' good soldiers of Jesus 
Christ?' A respectable portion of them were per- 
sons of independent property and of distinction, in 
their native land ; yet such wq.s the simplicity of 
their manners, and dress, and style of living, as to 
excite the inconsiderate ridicule of some descend- 
ants, who know not how to estimate their virtues. 

Indeed who can contemplate their characters, 
and not be struck with their similarity to the He- 
brew worthies, commemorated by the Apostle ? 
Like the great father of the faithful, when believ- 
ing themselves ' called to go out into places, which 
they should after receive for an inheritance, obey- 
ed ; and they went out, not knowing whither they 
went.' Like Moses, ' they chose rather to suffer 
affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the 
pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the re- 
proach of Christ greater riches,' in following the 
impulse of duty, ' than all the treasures of their 
native land, purchased, or secured, at the sacrifice 
of conscience. In short, who can attentively con- 
sider their various trials, and their manner of en- 
countering them, in the land of their birth, on 
the trackless ocean, and in this then unexplored 
wilderness, and not find many circumstances to 
remind him of those ancients, ' who through faith 
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtain- 
ed promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched 
the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, 
out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant 
in fight, turned to flight the armies of aliens ; and 
others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, 
that they nnght obtain a better resurrection ; and 
others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, 
yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonments ; they 



were tempted, were slain with the sword ; tliey 
wandered about destitute, ailhctcd, tormented ; of 
wliom tlic world was not worthy !' 

It was then the true glory of our fathers to view 
every thing in the light of eternity. The more you 
become acquainted with their principles, their 
manner of life, their conscientious and uniform re- 
sistance to the mandates of prelatical power, their 
motives in settling this land, and tlieir provision 
for posterity, the more will you be convinced, that 
all was dictated by a spirit of piety. 

The Retormation from Popery, under Henry the 
Vlllth, ellected much ; but it left many glaring 
abuses to bo reformed. Under his own, and some 
subsequent reigns, there was too much reason for 
the scrupulous to complain, that, in many respects, 
there was but a transfer of power from tlie tiara at 
Rome to the English crown. Hence nearly equal 
dominion was claimed over the riglits of conscience 
by the British monarch and by tJie Roman Pontiil". 

Time would fail me, were I barely to allude to 
the leading abuses, wliich were intolerable to our 
puritan fathers, and which impelled them, at every 
hazard, to meditate and finally to eifect the settle- 
ment of this country.* 

Suffice it, at present, to remark, that, when 
Henry the VHIth, Queens Mary and Elizabeth, 
Kings James I and Charles 1 resolved, with a 
perseverance, which no resistance could subdue, 
upon a hopeless uniformity in faith and in wor- 
ship ; and, in the accomplishment of their favourite 
purpose, punished all dissenters with lines, civil 
disabilities, cor[)oral punishment, imprisonment, 
and martyrdom, under its most frightful forms ; 
then was it submitted to our fathers, either tamely 

* Wlioever wishes for a minute tlescripliou of tiiese events may have 
his curiosity amply gratified by perusing Neale's invaluable History of the 
I'uritans. 



6 

to yield to such arbitrary claims ; or else, at the 
sacrifice of every inferiour good, resolutely to resist 
them. Nor did they hesitate in the choice of evils. 
After every possible attempt to soften the obdu- 
rate hearts of their persecutors by a blameless 
life, by a careful submission to all laws, but such, 
as involved the inalienable rights of conscience, 
by mild persuasion, by firm remonstrance, by re- 
tired worship, like the primitive christians, so as 
to shun, instead of courting observation, they hesi- 
tated no longer, what course to pursue. They 
nobly resolved to forsake everything of an earthly 
nature, which might tempt them to prove traitorous 
to their God and Saviour ; they 'took joyfully the 
spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves, 
that they had in heaven a better, and an enduring 
substance;' and to their wise determination, under 
heaven, are we indebted for the early and perma- 
nent settlement of New England. 

It is to religion then, the religion of the gospel, 
so dear to the hearts of our fathers, that we owe 
the colonizing of these borders, under such fa- 
vourable auspices ; and, above all, our invaluable 
civil, literary, and religious institutions, which, un- 
der God, are the firm foundations of our pros- 
perity, as a people, and which will always consti- 
tute our highest glory. 

Say not, that worldly views mingled with higher 
motives in settling this land. Adventurous specu- 
lators* were then, as at all other times, ready to 
avail themselves of circumstances. They accord- 
ingly, at various periods, invested large sums in 
traffick. But so unproductive were investments of 
this nature, at that early period, that, were it not 
for sublimer motives, this portion of our land 

* See an account of Mr Weston's company, who were sent to what 
has shice been called Weymouth, in Dudley's Letter to the Countess of 
Lincoln, in His. Coll. First Series, Vol. Vlll. p. 37. 



could not have l)cen tlius early colonized, much 
less could it have been settled by such a pious and 
hardy race, abounding in such noble enterprises. 

Akin to the first European inliabitants of this 
town, in the same 'darling enterprise engaged,' 
and but ten years their precursors, was that sacred 
band, which first setded Plymouth. At the very 
commencement of the seventeenth century, they 
had fled, first to Amsterdam, then to Leyden, in 
Holland, for the uninterrupted enjoyment of privi- 
leges, which had been inhumanly denied them in 
their native land. In this latter place they re- 
mained, eleven years ; where*, having no oppor- 
tunity to follow husbandry, to wdiicli most of them 
had been accustomed; finding the climate insalu- 
brious ; residing among foreigners, with whom 
there were so few sympathies ; and, above all, 
having such examples set before their youth of 
licentiousness on the Lord's day, they resolved 
upon a still farther removal. After many prayers 
and inquiries, they applied to the Virginia Com- 
pany to ascertain, 'whether King James would 
grant them liberty of conscience in his American 
dominions. t 

Their petition is couched in these afi'ecting 
terms ;t that they were so 'weaned from the deli- 
cate milk of their own country, and so inured to 
the difi[iculties of a strange land, that no small 
things would discourage them, or make them wish 
to return home ; that they had acquired habits 
of frugality, industry, and self-denial, and were 
united in a solemn covenant, by which they were 
bound to seek the welfare of the whole company, 
and of every individual person.' 

* For a full account of tiieir motivos in leaving Holland, spe Morton's 
New England's Memorial, Judge Uavis's Edition, p. 19, &.c. which is the 
fifth edition ; as also for a most satisfactory history of Plymouth Colony. 

I Soe liflkna])'s American Biography, Vol. II. p. 109. 

1 Hazard, 52. 



8 

A favourable answer having been given to their 
petition, on projecting a transportation, it was 
found, that the major part of them could not be 
prepared.^ It was therefore determined, that 
Elder Brewster sliould accompany the minority ; 
and that the Rev. John Robinson should continue 
with the larger portion, till a favourable opportunity 
should arrive for their removal. By the inscruta- 
ble Providence of God, his premature death pre- 
vented the execution of his darling purpose.! 

But in his farewell addresst to the beloved pil- 
grims, as they were about to depart for these 
American shores, 'he being dead, yet speaketh.' 
Would to God, that its sentiments were engraven 
on every heart, 'as with a pen of iron, and the 
point of a diamond.' I will not be negligent to 
put you, my beloved hearers, in remembrance of 
them, though ye already know them ; for I shall 
take it for granted, that you can never read, or 
hear them, without deep emotion, and a lively 
interest. 

' Brethren,'^ said he, ' we are now quickly to 
part from one another ; and whether I may ever 
live to see your faces on earth any more, the God 
of heaven only knows. But whether the Lord 
hath appointed that, or not, I charge you before 
God and his blessed angels, that you follow me no 
farther, than you have seen me follow the Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

'If God reveal any thing to you by any other 
instrument, be as ready to receive it, as ever you 
were to receive any truth by my ministry ; for I am 
verily persuaded, I am very confident, that the 



■" Belknap's American Biography, Vol. II. p. 171. 

i He died 1 March, 1G25, ajred 50. 

X Neale's History of New-England, Vol. I. p. 78. 

§ This is an extract from his Fast sermon, delivered, July, 1020. In 
this connexion shonld be read his Farewell Letter to the Plymouth Pil- 
grims, as contained in Morton's Memorial, p. 24. 



Lord lias more truth yet to break forlli from his 
lioly word. For my i)art, I cannot sufllciently be- 
wail the condition of the Reformed Churches, who 
arc come to a period in religion, and will go at 
present no farther, than the instruments of their 
reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to 
go beyond what Luther saw. Whatever part of 
his will our good God has revealed to Calvin, they 
will rather die, than embrace it. And the Calvin- 
ists, you see, stick fast, where they were left by 
that great man of God, who yet saw not all tilings. 

' This is a misery much to be lamented, for though 
they were burning and shining lights in their times, 
yet they penetrated not into the whole counsel of 
God ; but, were they now living, would be as willing 
to embrace farther light, as that, which they first 
received. I beseech you, remember, it is an article 
of your church covenant, " that you be ready to re- 
ceive whatever truth shall be made known to you 
from the written word of God." llcmembcr that 
and every other article of your sacred covenant. 
But I must here exhort you to take heed, what you 
receive as truth. Examine it, consider it, compare 
it with other scriptures of truth, before you receive 
it ; for it is not possible, that the christian world 
should come so lately out of such thick antichris- 
tian darkness, and that perfection of knowledge 
should break forth at once.'" 

With such sentiments on toleration so far in ad- 
vance of his period, who can help regretting, that 
he had not lived to contribute his mighty inlluence 
toward the promotion of similar sentiments in the 

* ' Words almost astonisliinjr in that age of low and universal bigotr}', 
which then prevailed in the English nation ; wherein this truly great and 
learned man seems to be almost tiie only divine, who was capable of rising 
into a noble freedom of thinking and practising in religious matters, and 
even of uriring such an erjual lilierty on his own jieople. Jle labours to take 
them otl' from their .-iltariiment to liim, that lliey uiiirlit be more entirely 
free to search and lollow the scriptures.' Prince's New England Chro- 
nology, p. 17G. 

2 



10 

minds of cotcmporaries ? For it cannot be denied, 
and need not bo concealed, that our first settlers, 
exemplary as they were in other respects, had 
juster notions in claiming liberty of conscience for 
themselves, than in granting it to others. Even the 
excellent Governour Winthrop,* that invaluable 
historian of our early fathers, during the nineteen 
years, in which he lived among them, with all his 
enlargement of mind, and his mildness of spirit in 
his native land, was carried away by the intolerant 
spirit prevailing here, so as loo much to favour it. 
It is refreshing, however, to hnd him, in the latter 
part of his life, returning to juster sentiments. 
' In the time of his last sickness, when Dudley, the 
deputy governour, pressed him to sign an order for 
the banishment of a person, who was deemed het- 
erodox, he refused, saying that he had done too 
much of that work already. 'f 

Much may be said in extenuation of the intoler- 
ant principles and practices, withwdiich our fathers 
were juslly chargeable. Theirs was the spirit of 
the age. To condemn them, therefore, without 
mercy, without regard to the mitigating circum- 
stances of their case, would savour of the bigotry, 
which we agree to reprobate. To criminate them 
unreservedly, on account of their severity toward 
Roger Williams, the Antinomians, the Friends, and 
the Baj)tists would amount to the senseless com- 
plaint, that they were not born a century and a 
half later. t The heaviest charges, which can be 
justly alleged against them only add one more 
proof to what will be always found true, that ' the 
best of men are but men at the best ! ' 

* For a most satisfactory account of tlie early settlement of Massachu- 
setts Colony, see his History of New England from 1C30 to 1C49, tran- 
scribed with immense labour and skill from the original manuscripts by 
James Savage, Esq. and enriched by him with copious notes. 

t Belknap's Amer. Biog. Art. Winthrop, Vol. II. p. 356. 

t For an admirable vindication of our Fathers in these and other respects, 
the reader is referred to Judge Story's Centennial Discourse at Salem 
18 September, 1828. 



11 

For, as remarks one of their justest and most 
considerate bioiiraphers,''^' ' toleration liad not then 
been introduced into any of the Protestant coun- 
tries ; and even the wisest and best men were 
afraid of it, as tlie parent of all errour and mischief. 
They maintained, that all men had liberty to do 
rii^ht, but no liberty to do icrong. However true 
this principle may be in j)oint of morality, yet in 
matters of opinion, in modes of faith, worshi[), and 
ecclesiastical order, the question is, who shall bo 
the judge of right and wrong ? And it is too 
evident from their conduct, that they supposed 
the power of judging to be in those, who were 
vested with authority ; a principle destructive of 
liberty of conscience and the right of private judg- 
ment, and big with all the horrours of persecution. 
The exercise of such authority they condemned in 
the high church party, who had oj)pressed them in 
England ; and yet, such is the frailty of human 
nature, they held the same principles, and prac- 
tised the same oppressions on those, who dissented 
from them.' 

Within eight years from tlie settlement of Ply- 
mouth Colony, and before she had increased to 
300 souls, the Council for New England sold the 
Massacliusetts Patent,t on 19 March, 1(328, to 
certain proprietors. 

In September, of this year. Captain John Endi- 
cotj and company arrived at Salem, and com- 
menced the first permanent settlement of Massa- 
chusetts Colony. 

On G August, 1029, was gathered, in Salem, the 
first Congregational church^ ever organized in 
America. 

* Belknap, in his Amer. Biog. Vol. 11. pp. 350, 355. 
t Prince's New Enjr. Chron. p. 247. 
t Judge Story s Centennial Discourse. 

§ This church ' celebrated the first century,' in a Lecture delivered by 
their pastor, the Rev. Samuel Fisk, (3 August, 1729. On the completion 



12 

Early in the year 1630, a church was gathered, 
at the new hospital, at Plymouth, in England, un- 
der the direction of the Rev. John White, prepara- 
tory to the embarkation of the first settlers in this 
town.* The Rev. John Maverick and the Rev. 
John Warham were, at the same time, set apart, 
as ministers of this church, they bearing a part in 
the solemnities of the occasion. They had been 
previously ordained by bishops of the church of 
England ; so that it is probable, that the solemni- 
ties of this occasion amounted to what is now 
termed an Installation. 

During this year, seventeen ships,t full of pass- 
engers and their effects, sailed from various ports, 
in England, for the settlement of this country ; and 
all, without one exception, arrived in safety. 

The first, which sailed, was the Lion, Captain 
Peirce, in February, from Bristol. But she being 
engaged in the service of the Plymouth Colony, 
the lirst vessel for the Massachusetts Colony was 
the Mary and John, of 400 tons, commanded by 
Captain Squeb. She sailed from Plymouth, in 
England, on 20 March, O. S., and arrived at 
Nantasket 30 May. These Avere subsequently 
the first settlers of this town. The captain had 
engaged to land them up Charles River ; but he 
perfidiously set them on shore at Nantasket. J 

The principal events, which happened, till their 
permanent settlement in this place, were detailed 
with much force and with touching pathos by Cap- 

of the second century, August, 1829, the Rev. Charles Wentworth Uphara, 
junior pastor of the church, delivered the second ce'ntury Lecture, which 
is printed, and which contains an elahorate history of this ancient church. 
See also his Dedication Sermon, IG November, 182G. 

* For many interesting particulars, see ' Chronological and Topographi- 
cal Account of Dorchester,' by the Rev. Dr. Harris, in His. Coll. Old Se- 
ries, Vol. IX. p. 147, &c. 

t For the names of these ships, whence and when they sailed, and when 
and where they arrived, consult Prince's Chron. p. 32!). 

t ' Captain Squeb was, afterwards, obliged to pay damages for this con- 
duct.' Trumbull's His. Conn. Vol. I. p. 23. 



tain Roncr Clap,* a passenjicr in this vessel, one 
of the lirst settlers, and whose descendants with 
liis collateral relations liavc been, from that time to 
the j)r(^sent, amoni^- the most numerous and rcs[)cct- 
ablc families in this town. This book, entitled 
Clap's Memoirs, has been repeatedly published, 
and, it is probable, is in many families in this place. 
It is well adapted to impress us with our obligations 
to the merciful Disposer of our lot for making the 
circumstances of this people so different from their 
early beginnings, on this day, which we celebrate, 
as the completion of the second century from the 
settlement of the town. 

A more particular account of this town is still 
extant, in manuscript, written by James Blake, for 
many years town-clerk, town-treasurer, and prin- 
cipal selectman in this town.f He begins with 
describing the motives and projects of the first set- 
tlers, gives a very minute account of the principal 
events and transactions here, for 120 years, to the 
time of his death, in 1750. This manuscript has 
been the principal authority for all the early ac- 
counts which have been published of Dorchester to 
this day. 

This town was called DorcLester,t in honour of 

* See his Memoirs republislied, in 1507. In the Appendix is ;i minute 
account of his family by James IJlake. 

t James Blake was the son of James, the grandson of James, the great- 
grandson of \Villiam and Agnes, who were some of the first settlers. He 
was horn 30 A[>ril, Ki*^':*, and died 4 Deceniher, IT.jO, aged (il?. His 
Annals have been much rpioted. Many j):irts of them have been jirintedin 
diflerent works, and at diH'erent times. He surveyed many farms in Dor- 
chester ; and the projections ingeniously and elegantly made are amono- 
the most valuable documents of his native town. 

From Cla|)'s Memoirs and Blake's Annals most of the authorities, not 
otherwiHC |)articularized, are derived. 

t The Indian name was Matapaii. This is also the name ol the south- 
most ca])e in Greece. 

William Wood, who left this country for England, 1.") August, 1G33, in 
a book called New England's Prospect, p. 42, remarks, 'Dorchester is the 
greatest town in New England, (but I am informed that others equal it, 
since [ came awiiy.) well wooded and watered ; very good arable grounds, 
and hay ground, i'air ciirn-fields, rind ])lfasnnt giirdcns witli kitchen gar- 
dens. The inhabitants of this town were the first that set upon the trade 



14 

the Rev. John White, minister of the town bearing 
this name in England, and who has ah-eady been 
mentioned as the principal agent in setting apart 
the first ministers who were settled here. He is 
supposed also to have been the author of a cele- 
brated state paper, published and signed by Gov- 
ernour Winthrop and others, entitled, 'The humble 
request of his Majesty's loyal subjects, the Gover- 
nour and Company late gone for New England to 
the rest of their brethren in and of the Church of 
England, for the obtaining of their prayers, and 
the removal of suspicions and misconstructions of 
their intentions.'* He must have been considered 
a distinguished man indeed, whose agency should 
have been esteemed necessary to draw a paper for 
the signature of such a scholar and civilian, as 
Governour Winthrop. 

Clap, Blake, Winthrop, and Prince, all speak of 
the arrival of the passengers in the Mary and 
John, for permanent settlement here, in the begin- 
ning of June, 1630. But none of them mention 
the precise day.f 

This, then, is the season, two hundred years 
ago, when our fathers first settled down in this 
then desolate wilderness ; and they first chose the 
land separated from the main body of the town, 
because they could tiiere the more easily preserve 
their cattle from wandering, and defend their fam- 
ilies from the incursions of the aboriginals. 

How astonishing the changes, when, in one hun- 
dred and fortyfive years after this, just fiftyfive 
years ago, this day, a few raw and undisciplined 

of fishing in the hay, who received so much fruit of their labours, tliat they 
encouraged others to the same undertakings.' 

* Tills instrument may be found in Histor. Coll. Second Series, Vol. V. 
p. 126. It was read at tlie second centennial celebration, by the Rev. Dr. 
Harris. 

t Doubtless because, having been dispersed, they came together in 
successive days. 



15 

troops of New England, on the flimod licin-hts of 
Cliarlcstown, wcro cnablc() to sustain and rc])cl, 
with immense liavock, rc[)eate(l onsets from select 
corps of the veteran British army, and disdained 
to yield to snperiour numbers and disciplin(^, till 
their means of resistance had wholly failed tliem ! 

It is a well ascertained fact, that 'Dorchester* 
was the first settled churchf and town in the 
county of SuH'olk,' of which she formed a part till 
1793. Hence, as Prince remarks, 'in all military 
musters, or civil assemblies, where dignity is re- 
garded, she used to have the precedency.' To 
this fact is it owing, that, after much controversy 
respecting the rank of her troops, it was finally 
decided, tliat they belonged to the first regiment of 
the first brigade of the first division in the State. 
Accordingly it is settled that, witli those of Rox- 
bury and Brookline, they constitute the first regi- 
ment of the militia in Massachusetts. 

It is observable, that the passengers in the Mary 
and John, as well as the pilgrim fathers at Ply- 
mouth, arrived on these shores, on the Lord's day. 
From their known habits, we cannot doubt, what 
was their first delightful enniloyment. They, 
whose meat and drink it was, on every day of the 
week, to worship God ; they, who, according to 
their annalist, J made their 'long passage comforta- 
ble by having preaching or expounding of the 
scriptures, every day of their passage, performed 
l)y their ministers,' must have joined with no com- 
mon delight in the religious services of their first 
sabbath on these American shores. Though the 
coast, on which they were landed, was far dif- 

* Prince's New England Chronology, p. 278. 

t Dorchester churcTi is second only to Salem church in the Massachu- 
setts colony. See the arrangrenient of churches by James Savage, Esq. in 
Winthrops History of New England, Vol. 1. p. 05. 

1 lilake's Annals. 



16 

ferent from what they had anticipated ; though 
they had no guide, even a cloud by day, nor a 
pillar of fire by night, but simply the leadings of 
Providence, about which they were still uncertain ; 
yet they doubtless felt, that they had many causes 
for devout gratitude. In imagination we hear 
them presenting united homage to their merciful 
Deliverer ; 

'Lowly tliey bowed, adoring, and began 
Their orisons,' 

enlivened by sacred musick, sung in strains derived 
from their homely, yet scriptural psalmody. Their 
affection for the land of their fathers' sepulchres is 
chastened, yet not subdued, by the persecutions 
they suffered. They pray for their dear native 
country, that she may know the things, which 
concern her peace and prosperity. They render 
hearty thanks for the mercies of their long and 
perilous voyage ; and they devoutly implore the 
God of their fathers to give success to their haz- 
ardous enterprise. 

It is here natural to inquire, who were the 
people that, two hundred years ago, settled in 
these now pleasant places, but then, alas ! fields 
of labour, of self-denial, and of doubtful success ? 
Many of us feel a more than common curiosity in 
this investigation, as from the pilgrim settlers of 
this town we trace our origin, in both lines, in 
uninterrupted succession to the present time. 

Were they then, as their enemies basely and 
unfeelingly represented them,* fugitives from jus- 
tice in their native land, whom vengeance suffered 
not there to live ? Were they greedy speculators, 
who hoped here to acquire a livelihood, in ease 
and indulgence, not to be obtained in the country 

* For an ample refutation of this slander, see Morton's New England's 
Memorial, p. 20, &c. 



17 

whence they came? Were tliey unprincipled mal- 
contents, unwilling- to submit to the just restraints 
of religion and good government, and who were 
im[)elled, in a fit of resentment, to try any change, 
that ofiered ? 

We admit, that some of these descriptions, by 
mistake, followed our fathers into this western 
world. But they soon found themselves out of 
their element. They soon ascertained, to their 
cost, that this was no place for idlers, vairrants, 
druidvards, rebels, nor infidels ; and with all con- 
venient despatch they went away, and walked no 
more witli these followers of Jesus. 

Tiie result of such experiments never failed to 
verify the statements of Elder Brewster, as to the 
kind of men, who should not, and those, who should, 
come to settle here. Thus in the preface to his 
Sermon preached at Plymouth, and printed first in 
England, in 1622, he observes, ' That for men, 
which have a large heart, and look aft(u- great 
riches, ease, pleasure, dainties, and jollity in this 
world, (except they will live by other men's sweat, 
or have great riches,) I would not advise them to 
come here ; for as yet the country will aflbrd no 
such matters. But if there be any, who are con- 
tented to lay out their estates, spend their lime, 
labours, and endeavours for the benefit of them, 
that shall come after, and in desire to fin-ther the 
Gos[)el among these poor lujathens, (luietly con- 
tenting themselves with such hardshif)s and difii- 
culties, as by God's providence shall fall upon 
them, beiufT yet young and in their strength, such 
men I would advise and encourage to go ; for their 
ends cannot fail them.' 

Similar sentiments are expressed by Thomas 
Dudley, the first Lieutenant Governour of this Col- 
ony. In a letter to the Countess of Lincoln, 28 

r> 
O 



18 

March, 1631,* he writes, 'If any come hitherto 
plant for worldly ends, that can live well at home, 
he commits an errour, of which he will soon repent 
him. But if for spiritual, he may find here, what may 
well content him, namely, materials to build, fuel to 
burn, ground to plant, seas and rivers to fish in, a 
pure air to breathe in, good water to drink, till wine 
or beer can be made. In a word, we yet enjoy little 
to be envied, but much to be pitied in the sickness 
and mortality of our people. If any godly men out 
of religious ends will come over to help us in the 
good work we are about, I think they cannot dis- 
pose of themselves, nor their estates more to God's 
glory and the furtherance of their own reckoning. 
But they must not be of the poorer sort yet, for 
divers years. And for profane and debauched 
persons, their oversight in coming hither is won- 
dered at, where they shalTfind nothing to content 
them. If there be any endued with grace, and 
furnished with means to feed themselves and theirs, 
for eighteen months, and to build and plant, let 
them come into our Macedonia and help us ; and 
not spend themselves and their estates in a less 
profitable employment. For others, I conceive, that 
they are not fitted for this business.' 

That such, as is here desired, was the actual 
character of the first settlers, might be proved from 
numberless unquestionable testimonies. I shall 
content myself with a few. 

Thus in an addressf of the General Court of 
this Colony to Charles II, in 1661, they appeal to 
his Majesty and to the world, that ' they are not 
seditious, as to the interests of Csesar, nor schis- 



* Prince's New England Chron. p. 348. 

t Neal's His. of New Eng. as quoted by Dr Colman, in the preface to 
his Election Sermon, in 1723. 

See also Prince's Election Sermon, in 1730, a century from the settle- 
ment of Boston. 



19 

niatical as to matters of religion. We distinguish,' 
say tlu^y, * between ciiiirches and their injpuritics. 
We could not live without the publick worshij) of 
God, nor be permitted the publick worship without 
such a yoke of subscription and conformity, as wo 
could not consent unto without sin. That we 
might therefore enjoy divine worship without 
human mixtures, without olfence to God, man, and 
our own consciences, we with leave, but not without 
tears, departed from our country, kindred, and 
fatiiers' house into this Patmos.' 

In an election sermon, 16G8, by William Stough- 
ton,* born in this town, in 1632, who was Lieutenant 
Governour of this Commonwealth, Chief Justice 
of the S^upreme Court, an agent to the court of 
Great Britain, a preaclier of the gospel in this 
place, an eminent scholar, civilian, and divine, 
there is this testimony of our fathers by one, who 
knew them well. ' O what parents and predeces- 
sors may we, the most of us, look back unto. 
Those, that have gone before us, in the cause of 
God here, who, and what were they ? Certainly 
choice and picked ones, whom he eminently pre- 
pared, and trained up, and (jualified for this ser- 
vice. They were worthies, men of singular ac- 
complishments, and of long and great experience. 
Yet did they walk with fear and trembling before 



"On 10 Anirust, 1(502. the old age of Mr Mather. Mr Stoughton was 
invited to preach, in liis native town, ' in a constant way.' 

In the Clnirch Records there is an account of'si.\ di.stinct calls, which he 
received, at different times, to settle in the ministry. 

On :W October, IGGi), the year of Mr Mather's death, the church hear- 
ing, that Mr Stoughton was about to give a negative answer to their si.xth 
call, appointed a committee to desire the Boston ministers and churches to 
persuade him to accept. But he persevered in his refusal, assignimr no 
other caune, than ' for some reasons within myself lie continued to sup- 
ply, till Mr Flint's ordination, in 1G7I. When sent an agent to England, 
the church appointed a day of fasting and prayer on his account. Dor- 
chester Church Records. 

After the death of Mr Mitchel,at Cambridge, in 1()G8, 'the church and 
society invited .Mr WiUi;iiii Stoughton to become their minister ; but they 
were denied.' His. of Cambridge in His. Coll. Vol. VII. p. 30. 



20 

the Lord in the sense of their own nothingness, 
and insufficiency for the work here to be done. O 
what were the open professions of the Lord's peo- 
ple, that first entered this wilderness ? How did 
our fathers entertain the gospel, and all the pure 
institutions thereof, and those liberties, which they 
brought over ? What was their communion and 
fellowship in the administrations of the kingdom 
of Jesus Christ? What was the pitch of their 
brotherly love, of their zeal for God and his ways, 
and against ways destructive of truth and holiness ? 
What was their humility, their mortification, their 
exemplariness ? How much of holiness to the 
Lord was written upon all their ways and transac- 
tions ! God sifted a whole nation, that he might 
send choice grain over into this wilderness.' 

By a powerful writer in modern times, the Puri- 
tans of those days are thus described. ' They 
were men, whose minds had derived a peculiar 
character from the daily contemplation ofsuperiour 
beings and eternal interests. Not content with 
acknowledging, in general terms, an overruling 
Providence, they habitually ascribed every event to 
the will of the great Being, for whose power noth- 
ing was too vast ; for whose inspection nothing was 
too minute. To know him, to serve him, to enjoy 
him, was with them the great end of existence. 
They rejected with contempt the ceremonious hom- 
age, which other sects substituted for the pure 
worship of the soul. Instead of catching occa- 
sional glimpses of the Deity through an obscuring 
veil, they aspired to gaze full on the intolerable 
brightness, and to commune with him face to face. 
Hence originated their contempt for terrestrial dis- 
tinctions. The difference between the greatest 
and the meanest of mankind seemed to vanish, 
when compared with the boundless interval, which 
separated the whole race from him, on whom their 



21 

own eyes were constantly fixed. They recognized 
no title to superiority, hut his favour ; and coiifi(hint 
of that fav(jur, they desj)ised all the accomplisii- 
ments and all the dignities of the world.'* 

These testimonies a[)ply to the first settlers of 
this Colony g(Mierally, including our fatlicrs of this 
town. Blake, who was of the third generation 
from them, remarks, 'that they were a very godly 
and religious people ; and many of them persons of 
note and figure, being dignified with the title of 
Mr, which but few in those days were.' 

I must not omit to mention, that our fathers were 
scrupulous in purchasing the lands, which they set- 
tled, from the natives, and procuring fair titles. 
Evidence of this fact will abundantly appear from 
the town records, and from other sources ; also of 
their assignment of lands, within their borders, for 
the benefit of those natives, who, from improvi- 
dence and other causes, had become destitute. 
The natural consequence was, that they lived in 
j)eace with these sons of the forest ; and all the 
testimonies extant, in relation to them, are of a 
y^acifick character. 

The territory of Dorchester was originally so 
large, that it now comprises the most of six towns.f 
Besides, a part of wdiat was originally settled, 
has been annexed to our neighbouring capital. J 
But so memorable are the associations with a por- 
tion of that territory, at the commencement of our 
struggle for independence, that, whatever else it 
may be called, it can never lose the name, in his- 
tory, nor the glory attached to it, of Dorchester 
Heights. 

The fundamental principles of our fathers, by 
which they justified the Reformation from Popery, 

* Ed. Rev. Vol. XLII. p. 339. 

t Dorchester, Milton, Canton, Stoughton, Sharon, and a part of Fox- 
borough. 

X Soutli Boston. 



22 

and their removal from the Church of England, 
notwithstanding tliey embraced tlie same doctrinal 
sentiments with this latter church, are thus stated 
by Prince, in Jiis New England Chronology.* 
' They were in the sentiments, which since, the 
famous Mr Chillingworth tells us, that, after long 
study, he also came into; namely, that the inspired 
scriptures only contain the true religion ; and espe- 
cially nothing is to be accounted the Protestant 
religion, respecting either faith or worship, but 
what is taught in them ; as also in the same senti- 
ments, which the present celebrated bishop Hoadly 
and many other great men have so nobly defended, 
as the right of human nature, as the very basis of 
the Reformation, and indeed of all sincere religion, 
namely, that every man has a right of judging for 
himself, of trying doctrines by them, and of wor- 
shipping according to his apprehension of the 
meaning of them.' 

Lest any should ascribe undue credit to Mr Rob- 
inson for defending these principles, Mr Prince re- 
marks, 'As for Mr Robinson's being the author of 
Independency, Mr Cotton replies, that the New 
Testament was the author of it, and it was receiv- 
ed in the times of purest, primitive antiquity, many 
hundreds of years before Mr Robinson was born ; 
and Governour Winslow says, that the primitive 
churches in the apostolick age are the only pattern, 
which the churches of Christ in New England 
have in their eye ; not following Luther, Calvin, 
Knox, Ainsworth, Robinson, Ames, or any other, 
farther than tliey followed Christ and his apostles.' 

In the exercise of this liberty, so rationally 
expressed, and so nobly maintained, our ancestors 
in England separated from the Roman Catholick 
hierarchy, and our Puritan fathers renounced the 

* Page 176. 



23 

dominion of the Englisli Cliurch. In tlie exercise 
of this liberty, they also, with hardly a solitary 
exception, subscribed to the Confession of tlie 
Westminster Divines. By this, as a rule for inter- 
preting the scriptures, their ministers preached, 
and prayed, and catechised ; parents scrupulously 
instructetl their children; and ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, conventions, and synods formed their de- 
cisions. Thus far they acted consistently with 
their professions. They stood fast in the liberty, 
wherewith, they apprehended, Christ had made 
them free. But when they proceeded farther, and 
insisted on interpreting the scriptures for others, 
as well as for themselves ; and when, in the main- 
tenance of this claim, they fell to persecuting the 
Baptists, Friends, and other dissenters from their 
faith, greatly as we honour their memories, much as 
we glory in our descent from them, and desirous 
as we are to follow them, where we see, that they 
followed the Lord Jesus Christ, we are obliged 
here to pause ; and, while we drop a tear, we 
would draw a veil over the imperfections, which 
they shared with the very best men of their day. 
Should we be constrained to come to dilferent 
conclusions from themselves, we rejoice in the 
conviction, that it is in consistence with the 
very princij)les, with which they nobly burst the 
shackles of ecclesiastical usurpation, and gloriously 
asserted the religious liberties of mankind. 

Of the two first pastors of this church, Mav- 
erick and Warham, we know but little, as they 
remained here, but little more than five years. 
The Rev. John Warham, the junior pastor, went 
with so large a portion of his })eople and of his 
church to settle ^Vindsor, in Connecticut, that 
the people here were obliged to reorganize their 
church, the next year, on the settlement of Mr 



24 

Mather.* As the records of the church begin at 
this latter period, it is probable, that Mr Warham 
carried the original church records with him to 
Connecticut. He laboured there, beloved and re- 
spected, thirtyfive years, to the time of his de- 
cease.! The Rev. John Maverick, senior pastor, 
diedl the winter after the removal of his colleague, 
with the niajor part of the church. As one evi- 
dence of the estimation, in which he was holden, 
you may find his name, in the town records, stand 
first in all the instruments conveying lands to the. 
settlers, during his ministry. 

In 1G95, another company, sufficiently numerous 
to constitute a settlement, emigrated from this 
place to South Carolina, and settled a town on 
Ashley river, which they named after the place of 
their nativity.^ In a ^ew years the survivors mi- 
grated farther, to Midway || in Georgia. A respec- 
table divine, H now living, who was once their 
pastor, has remarked the striking similarity be- 
tween their descendants and the natives of this 
place ; and has been heard to observe, that the 
former differed as greatly from all the surrounding 
inhabitants, as did the Jews from the Canaanites. 

In the last century,** the town now called Ash- 
burnham 'was granted to heirs of those in Dor- 
chester, who perished in an unsuccessful expedi- 
tion against Canada, and was called Dorchester 
Canada.' 

One of the great evils to a country arising from 

* 23 August, 1636. t 1 April, 1670. t 3 February, 1636. 

§ The church was gathered here, 22 October. 1695. 

See Harris's His. JDorch. His. Coll. Vol. IX. p. 156. Also Holmes' 
Amer. Annals, first edition, Vol. H. p. 34. 

II The Rev. Dr Codman not long since visited this place, and almost 
fancied himself among his own people. In the burial ground there, he 
was surprised to find so kw instances of longevity. 

II The Rev. Dr Holmes, of Cambridge. 

** See a half-century sermon preached at Ashburnham, 3 November, 
1818, by the Rev. John Cushing, its second minister. 'In 1690, lost at sea 
fortysix soldiers, that went to Canada." Blake's Annals. 



25 

persecution for conscience' sake is the expulsion 
of lier best citizens, who are obliged to seek 
in other places an asylum, which is inhumanly 
denied them at home. Tlius at the revocation of 
the edict of Nantz, in 1085, many of the most 
useful inhabitants of France fled for their lives and 
liberties to Europe, and some to the United 
States, whose descendants have been some of our 
most highly respected people. How many also of 
this description were banished by the late sangui- 
nary French revolution ! 

In like manner, to the persecution of Bishop 
Laud and others of a kindred spirit, are we in- 
debted for some of the most distinguished early 
settlers. 

To this cause does this town owe the early set- 
tlement of the Rev. Richard Mather among them, 
a divine, who would have done honour to any na- 
tion or to any age. Such was his catholick spirit 
at that intolerant period, that in a controversy, 
which he maintained with the greatest divines of 
the country about baptism, a subject which is 
seldom discussed in a right temper, old Mr ITig- 
ginson, of Salem, remarked, that Mie was a pattern 
for all the answerers in the world.'* He had been 
settled in the ministry, about fifteen years, in the 
land of his nativity, 

'Nor e'er had chanf^od, nor wisliod to clianjTc his place.' 

But his bishop at length found, that he had not 
worn the surplice, for fifteen years, and accordingly 
suspended him, and obliged him to flee for refuge 
to New England.! 

Nor is this strange, as but two years before, 
' when the famous .fohn Cotton,'! afterwards the 

* Eliot's New Enorland Biography, article, Ricliard Mather. 
1 Neal'a History of the Puritans, Vol. II. p. 201. 
t Ibid. p. 27'J. 

4 



26 

distinguished minister of the first church in Bos- 
ton, ' appealed to the Earl of Dorset for his inter- 
est with the archbishop, he sent him word, that if 
he had been guilty of drunkenness, uncleanness, or 
any such lesser fault, he could have obtained his 
pardon ; but the sin of puritanism and noncon- 
formity is unpardonable ; and therefore you must 
fly for your safety.' 

To the persecuting spirit of the times in the 
mother country are we then indebted for the dis- 
tinguished civilians, who were among the first set- 
tlers of New England ; as also for a large portion 
of her early divines, who were some of the most 
celebrated scholars, preachers, and men of the age, 
in which they flourished. In proof of this, I need 
but mention the names of Brewster,* the Higgin- 
sons, Harvard, Wilson, Norton, Cotton, Phillips, 
Hooker, Shepard, Weld, Eliot, Williams, Peters, 
Maverick, Warham, Mather, who were the glory 
of their age, of the nation, which gave them birth, 
and of the country, which hails them, as, under 
God, the founders of our republick. 

In the treatment, which banished them from the 
land of their nativity, and in the blessings, which 
they were the honoured instruments of procuring 
for their adopted country, we perceive a striking 
instance of the manner, in which the wise Disposer 
of events educes good from evil, and makes even 
the wrath of man to praise him. 

The Rev. Richard Mather continued in the min- 
istry here, about one third of a century, a useful 
and highly celebrated divine. He was the princi- 

* Elder Brewster, of Plymouth ; the Rev. Francis Higginson, and his 
son Rev. John Higginson of Salem ; Rev. John Wilson, Rev. John Nor- 
ton, Rev. John Cotton, of Boston ; Rev. George Phillips, of Watertown ; 
Rev. Thomas Hooker, first of Cambridge, then of Hartford, Conn. ; Rev. 
Thomas Shepard, of Cambridge ; Rev. Thomas Weld and the Rev. John 
Eliot, of Roxbury ; Rev. Roger Williams and Rev. Hugh Peters, of Salem ; 
Rev. John Maverick, Rev. John Warham, and Rev. Richard Mather, of 
Dorchester. 



27 

pal framcr of the Plattbrni* of Church Discipline, 
agreed ii})on by the eklcrs and messengers of tlio 
churches, at Cambridge, in 1G48, and afterwards 
approved by tlie Ceneral Court ; and it brcatlies 
the excellent caiholick s[)irit, for whicli he was so 
conspicuous. t 

A similar observation may be made of his church 
covenant, at his settlement; of the form of admis- 
sion into this church ; and of the covenant, as re- 
newed, in 1G77, under the ministry of the Rev. .lo- 
siah Flynt. They seem to sliow the scrupulosity of 
these excellent men about imposing terms difficult 
to be subscribed, and grievous to be borne by oth- 
ers, when they had themselves so lately suffered 
from such impositions upon the conscience. 

In October, 1636, the first year of Mr. Mather's 
ministry here, and doubtless with his most earnest 
recommendation and agency, the General Court 
made generous appropriations for the establish- 
ment of our neighbouring university. When we 
consider,! that this was but six years after the set- 
tlement of Boston, in the midst of the war with 
the Pecjuot Indians, at the beginning of the Anti- 
nomian controversy; and that the sum voted by the 
court, £400, was equal to a whole year's rate ; 
and when, at the same time, we take into view the 
very humble pecuniary circumstances of the peo- 

* Tlic following testimony to tiie members of the synod, whicli framed 
it, is given by the Rev. John Higginson, of Salem, and the Rev. William 
Ilvibbiird, of Ipswich. 

' Above seventy years have passed away, since one of us, and above 
si.xty years, since the other of us came into New England. We, that saw 
the persons, who from four famous colonies assembled in the synod, that 
agreed on our Platform of Church Discipline, cannot forget their excellent 
character. They were men of great renown in the nation, irom whence 
the Laudean persecution exiled them. Their learning, their holiness, their 
gravity struck all men, that knew them, with admiration. Tiiey were 
Timothies in their houses, Chrysostoms in their pulpits, Augustines in 
their disputations.' Prince's Election Sermon, 1730, p. 4'2. 

\ He died, '>2 April, KIGD, aged 73. 

t Note by James Savage, Esq. in Winthrop's His. of New Eng. Vol. II. 
p. 88. 



28 

pie, what admiration is not due to our fathers for 
their love of learning and of religion ; for their 
magnanimity, their perseverance, and self-denial, 
in promoting these great objects ? 

In a memorial* sent to England, under the title 
of New England's First Fruits, in 1643, the year 
after the first Commencement, at Cambridge, v/e 
have this plain and touching statement concerning 
this interesting project. 'After God had carried 
us safe to New England, and we had builded our 
houses, provided necessaries for our livelihood, 
reared convenient places for God's worship, and 
settled the civil government, one of the next things 
we longed for, and looked after, was to advance 
learning, and to perpetuate it to posterity ; dread- 
ing to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches, 
when our present ministers shall lie in the dust. 
And as we were thinking and consulting how to 
effect this great work, it pleased God to stir up 
the heart of one Mr Harvard, (a godly gentleman, 
and lover of learning there living amongst us) to 
give the one half of his estate towards the erecting 
of a college, and all his library.' 

At this university eightyfour of your sons have 
received a publick education, besides four, who 
have been educated in other colleges. Of these, 
thirtytwo have been settled in the ministry ; four 
have been tutors of their alma mater, one for the 
space of fiftyfive years ; two have been lieutenant 
governours of the Commonwealth ; one has been 
bishop of the Episcopal church ; one a professor 
at our university, and now a distinguished member 
of Congress ; one an eminent President of Har- 
vard College, and one Chief Justice of the Su- 
preme Court. 

Nor must it be forgotten, that the memorable 



■" His. Coll. Vol. I. p. 242. 



Stoughton, one of her earliest sons, in 1G98, 
erectctl the second Hall, which bore his name, at 
the expense of one thousand pounds,* prol)ably 
a larger sum, than was derived from all other 
sources united, when the College was founded. 
Besides this, he made generous provision for aid- 
ing the sons of Dorchester in procuring an educa- 
tion at the university, for which many, with the 
speaker, should never be unmindful of their obli- 
gations. When his sepulchre among us was going 
to decay, it is honourable to the Corporation of 
our University, that they have decently repaired it, 
not as the sons of those, who killed the prophets, 
but of those, who evince their desire to hold this 
prophet in everlasting remembrance. 

Israel Stoughton, the father of the lieutenant 
governour, was also an eminent magistrate, and he 
is noted, as the builder of the first mill on Nepon- 
set river ever built in New England. 

Ludlow and Rossiter, two eminent magistrates, 
though they settled here with the first pastors, yet 
removed, in process of time, so that their sepul- 
chres are not among us. 

It is well known, that the first of the four meet- 
ing houses, which have been built by the First 
Society in this town, was nearly a mile north east 
of the present location, and that a burial ground 
was situated in its immediate vicinity. The second 
house was erected, more than one hundred and 
fifty years ago ; and none can now tell the pre- 
cise spot, where the first was located ; nor does a 
single stone survive to designate the site of the 
original burial ground. It is probable, that the 
present ancient cemetery was devoted to its pre- 
sent use, before the erection of the second house 
of worship, as an inscription is now distinctly 

* Allen's Biog. and His. Dictionary, article, Stoughton. 



30 

legible, of the date of 1644. The oldest I could 
find in the old town of Plymouth, is 1681, thirty- 
seven years posterior. 

Our old burial ground has long been an inter- 
esting resort for antiquaries, especially for natives 
of the town, and their descendants. Would it 
not, my friends, be worth the pains and expense 
requisite to render the very curious inscriptions it 
contains still more legible, that we and our chil- 
dren may find an increasing interest in visiting 
this place of our fathers' sepulchres, and, as we 
step over the mouldering ruins of the honoured 
dead, receive additional mementos from their 
silent retreats ? 

Of the twelve Congregational ministers, who 
have been settled, in this town, nine have gone to 
their final account; the mortal remains of six lie 
deposited in our ancient burial ground ; and it is 
not a little remarkable, that more than one hun- 
dred years have now passed away, since one* of 
your pastors has died in the ministry. May the 
time be distant, when another shall be added to 
the number ! 

Our fathers were not content with early provid- 
ing a university. They were equally solicitous 
about common schools. One of the first objects 
with the Plymouth settlers, after procuring the 
simplest necessaries of life, was to establish ele- 
mentary schools for their children. The same 
spirit has been generally diffused among us ; so 
that New England is, to the present day, the most 
remarkable section of the globe for the general 
diffusion of literature among all classes. As early, 
as 1647, provision was made by law for schools 
throughout the colony. In 1672, the Rev. Thomas 

* The last, who died here in the ministry, is the Rev. John Danforth, 
who died, 20 May, 1730. 



51 

Shcpard, of Charlcstown, who preached the elec- 
tion sermon, under one head of his sermon, 'Let 
the scliools flourisli,' enlarges upon their indispen- 
sable importance to the college and the country. 
One hundred and fiftysix years ago, died a noted 
schoolmaster, in this town, Mr William Poole, 
aged eightyone. He had been, for many years, a 
teacher of youth here. How often has his epitaph, 
written by himself, in poetry far superiour to his 
times, arrested the attention of many, who, in the 
spirit of Old Mortality, have inspected it, as, in 
the closing strain, he exhorts, 

'Be warned ; be armed ; believe ; repent ; farewell.' 

Our fathers were remarkably abstemious in the 
use of spiritous li(iuors. Heaven grant, that the 
reformation in their use, which seems, as if by 
special interposition of Providence, prevailing 
among us, may advance, till in this, as in other 
things, we may be more faithful followers of our 
venerable ancestors, in those respects, in which 
they have left us examples worthy of imitation ! 

Among the instances of laudable regard to the 
religious institutions of our fathers, you will permit 
me to select two, which, for their antiquity, and 
uninterrupted continuance down to the present 
times, are probably without a parallel in our land. 

I allude to the religious societies of young men 
and to the family meetings. The origin of each, 
it is supposed, is coeval with the first settlement of 
the town. 

The young men's meetings, for religious pur- 
poses, at the north part of the town, became 
organized, and their regular records began, so 
early as, 25 December, 1098, one hundred and 
thirtytwo years ago. It is understood, that, at that 
period, they had been maintained from time im- 
memorial. 



32 

From this has sprung one or more societies of a 
kindred spirit. 

The family meetings, for the same pious ob- 
jects, are holden by heads of families, who agree 
to such a union, and meet alternately at each 
others' houses. 

' Once a year, a season of fasting and prayer is 
observed, on a day distinct from the State fast, 
when it requires but little imagination to fancy, 
that the spirits of our fathers unite with approba- 
tion in the devout services of their children. 

The members of these societies, who, in these 
religious acts, neither court, nor dread observation, 
will forgive this publick notice of institutions, 
which they are happy to derive from the piety of 
their ancestors, and which they hope to perpetuate 
in their spirit. God grant, that the rage for inno- 
vation, which has abolished, or rendered unfash- 
ionable so many of their religious usages, may 
never lay its destroying hand on these pious relics 
of our fathers. 

My friends, I fear, I have exhausted your pa- 
tience, though I should never be weary myself, in 
reciting the deeds of our fathers, in which I con- 
sider them the glory of their children. 

You invited me to address you, not merely as a 
descendant, in uninterrupted succession, of the 
fathers, whom you wish to commemorate, but also 
as the son of one, who, for nearly two years and a 
half, has been the oldest male inhabitant of the 
town, and who has lived, within about twelve 
years, during one half of the period from its set- 
tlement by our ancestors. 

I could not, if I would, and I would not, if I 
could, have entertained you in a set oration, in 
which, the more successful I should have been, the 
more I should have wandered from the spirit and 
example of our fathers. I have endeavoured, as 



33 

is common in biographies, as much as possible, to 
let the persons to be commemorated speak for 
themselves. I have been obliged to omit many 
things, which I should have been interested in 
saying ; and I have said many things, which have 
been much better said by others. Your beloved 
and respected pastors, in what they have done,* 
and in what they purpose yet to do,t I am confi- 
dent, will not only supply all my defects, but will 
be more successful in awakening your attention to 
the wonderful providence of God toward our- 
selves and our fathers. 

The only improvement, I shall suggest of what 
has been said, shall be from Governour Stoughton, 
to whom I have repeatedly referred, in a sentence 
full of nteaning and solemnity. 

'Consider and remember always, that the books, 
that shall be opened at the last day, will contain 
genealogies in them. There shall then be brought 
forth a register of the genealogies of New Eng- 
land's sons and daughters. How shall we, many 
of us, hold up our faces then, when there shall be 
a solemn rehearsal of our descent, as well as of our 
degeneracies ! To have it published, whose child 
thou art, will be cutting to thy soul, as well as to 
have the crimes reckoned up, that thou art 
guilty of 

My beloved fellow townsmen, four years ago, 
this ever memorable fourth of July, when a ven- 
erable father of our country was breathing his last, 

* Several from Dorchester, principally of the Second Church and 
Society, went to Nantasket, now Hull, on Friday, the lltli instant, to 
commemorate the landinjr of our fathers there by prayers, j>salmody, 
original hymns, and an address by the Rev. John Codman, D. D. They 
left, a record of their names, to the number of ninetyeight, to be deposited 
in the arcliives of tiie place. 

t The Rev. Thaddeus Mason Harris, D. D. published a minute and 
faithful history of the town, in I'^Ol, in the IXth Volume of the Historical 
Collections. He also prepared two discourses for the next sabbath after 
the town celebration. 



34 

you invited me to a united political celebration of 
the day, in your second house of worship. The 
duty then assigned me was to read the declaration 
of our civil independence, as drafted by one of its 
leading promoters. 

On one side stood the most aged man of the 
town, as the representative of one class of politi- 
cians and christians ; and on the other, the second 
man in age, as the representative of another class 
of christians and politicians. 

You have invited me, on a day scarcely less 
memorable, to a united religious celebration of the 
completion of the second century from the settle- 
ment of this town ; and I have rehearsed to you 
the declaration of our religious independence, 
as drawn up by a father of the New England 
churches, so far as we allow ourselves to call any 
man father. 

We look around in vain for the former* of those 
ancients, who participated with such delight the 
joys of our former celebration. The latterf yet 
survives, and is with us, as a connecting link be- 
tween us and our early fathers. 

Are not these repeated acts of union a token 
for good, that, whatever may be your religious or 
political differences of opinion, you resolve, as the 
apostle exhorts, to be ^perfectly joined together in 
the same mind, and in the same judgment ;' that 
is, says Dr McKnight, 'by mutual good affection ; 
for the same mind, in the sense of the same 
opinion, is not to be expected in any numerous 
society.' 

'I therefore beseech you,' respected and beloved 
fathers and brethren, 'that ye walk worthy the 
vocation, wherewith ye are called, with all lowli- 

* Ezekiel Tolman, died, 27 December, 1827, aged eightyseven. 
t John Pierce, born, 22 September, O. S. 1742. 



35 



ness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing 
one another in love, endeavouring to keep the 
unity of the spirit in the bond of peace,' so that, 
as 'the glory of children are their fathers,' it may 
ever redound to the glory of our fathers to be 
succeeded by such children. 



Order of Exercises, at the completion of the Second Century from the 
Settlement of Dorchester, 17 June, 1830. 

MUSICK.— 'God is our King,' &c. 3 H. & H. S. C. p. 111. 
Chorus.— '^o\v elevate the sign of Judah.' 2 H. & H. S. C. p. 68. 



PRAYER BY REV. DR CODMAN. 



PSALM CVII. L. M. 



FAREWELL ADDRESS BY THE PURITAN EMIGRANTS, ON 
THEIR LEAVING ENGLAND— READ BY REV. DR HARRIS. 



THE PILGRIM FATHERS. Bv Mrs. HEMANS. 

'The breaking waves dash'd high, 

On a stern and rock-bound coast ; 
And the woods, against a stormy sky, 

Their giant branches tost ; 

And the hoa\-y night hung dark 

The hills and waters o'er. 
When a band of exiles moored their bark 

On the wUd New England shore. 

Not as the conqueror comes. 

They, the true-hearted camo. 
Not with the roll of the stirring drums, 

And the trumpet, that sings of fame ; 

Not as the flying come, 

In silenco and in fear, — 
They shook the deptlis of the desert's gloom 

With their hymns of lofly cheer. 

Amidst the storm they sang, 

And the stars heard and the sea ! 
And the sounding aislns of the dim woods rang 

To the anthem of the free ! 



4—^ 



N 



36 

The ocean-eagle soared — 

From his nest by the white wave's foam, 
And the rocking pines of the forest roar'd — 

This was their welcome home ! 

What sought they thus afar ? 
Bright jewels of the mine ? 
The wealth of seas, the spoils of war ? 
— ^They sought a faith's pure shrine ! 

Ay, call it holy ground, 

The soil, where first they trod ! 

They have left unstained what there they found- 
Freedom to worship God !' 



DISCOURSE, BY REV. DR PIERCE. 



jjeci/,— 'Now the Philistines,' &,c. 3 H. & H. S. C. p. 53. and chorus. 



PRAYER BY REV. DR RICHMOND.* 



ORIGINAL HYMN. BY DR HARRIS. 

Long persecuted and oppressed, 

The exiled pUgrim band, 
In search of liberty and rest, 

Came to a desert land. 

God deigned their enterprise to bless, 
And gave the wished repose ; 

And, glad for them, the wilderness 
Soon blossomed as the rose. 

Schools, Churches, and the Ministry 
Their earliest cares engage ; 

The glory of their times to be, 
And of each coming age. 

The benefits, which hence arise. 
On us Heaven kindly showers, 

And shows us, by the rich supplies, 
Our Father's God is Ours. 



ANTHEM— 'Glory be to God on high,' 2 H. & H. S. C. p. 133. 



BENEDICTION, BY DR HARRIS. 

* Owing to the indisposition of Dr Richmond, this service was per- 
formed by Dr Harris. 



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